Make a car with the ability to have a High mileage variant along with a middle of the road 'normal' version, and hopefully there is room at the top for the GT version.
Make it two door with just enough room for 4 adults for not much more than a 2 hour trip.
No AWD, always rear wheel drive.
Throw a hatch on the ND platform and call it the 124 GT or something like that.
That sounds like a riot, what would the price point be? Would it compete with something like the Focus ST or the STI?
Edit: Didn't read it on the first post... duh.
HappyAndy wrote: I could definitely be interested in a hard top body on the Miata/124 chassis. Would it look reminiscent of a Volvo P1800?
I think I am building your car then. Miata chassis, 300hp and looks like a Volvo P1800. When did you want delivery?
Truth is 30+ K is too much for the crowd that would buy such a car, and if you de-content it enough to hit the price target, it would be rejected as too de-contented.
Now, if they could build such a car from the existing parts bin, and find a niche in which it would dominate, they could be on to something. But it would have to dominate the niche, not just show-up.
In reply to Aspen:
Heck no! The FRS/BRZ odd ball engine is a hot mess. If it used an off the shelf Subie engine I might feel differently about it. The ergonomics of that car aren't that great either.
I'd much rather have the Fiat engine, and Miata ergonomics, assuming the ND is similar to earlier models, I haven't sat in one yet.
In reply to NOHOME:
Great project, I wish I had your skills.
I can no longer discuss the possibilities of this potential model.
captdownshift wrote:
The Illuminati have long been opposed to a small, fun, affordable RWD hatch so it does not surprise me that you are targeted for erasure. You should have known better then to mention it on a public forum.
Great, but the cost is slightly higher.
In reply to Huckleberry:
Sergio would have my head. He might even bring Dr. Z back to do the job!
captdownshift wrote:
oh. OH. sweeeeet 
Even with it being an FCA product, if this were a well executed FCA equivalent to either a cross between a Miata and Mazda 2 (RWD + rear full-dors + useful hatch), or a cross between a Miata, RX8, and Mazda 2 (RWD + rear half-doors + useful hatch), then I would strongly consider buying one (new) for my next daily driver/dadmobile. Two doors would be a deal breaker though...I would also 'generously' participate in as many focus groups as necessary (driving dynamics, interior functionality, option packaging on enthusiast trims, etc) to help make sure they don't cock it up.
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